Sam Green's 'The Oldest Person in the World' Sets Theatrical Release

Oscar-nominated filmmaker Sam Green is bringing The Oldest Person in the World to theaters, following an acclaimed festival run and years spent documenting the world's oldest living people.

A Decade-Long Journey Through Time

The Oldest Person in the World follows filmmaker Sam Green across more than a decade as he meets successive holders of the title of the world's oldest living person.
Rather than focusing solely on remarkable longevity, the documentary explores the passage of time, chance, memory, and the shared experience of growing older. As one record holder passes away and another takes the title, Green reflects on the changes unfolding in both the world and his own life.
The current record holder is Ethel May Caterham, who is 116 years old and was born in 1909 in Shipton Bellinger, Hampshire, England. She is scheduled to celebrate her 117th birthday on August 21.
The documentary is set to begin its theatrical run on September 10 in New York City, followed by September 18 releases in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area, before expanding nationwide.

From Festival Favorite To Awards Contender

Before its theatrical release, The Oldest Person in the World built momentum with screenings at major international film festivals, including Sundance, SXSW, Hot Docs, True/False, CPH:DOX, DC/DOX, and the Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival.
Green, whose previous work includes the Oscar-nominated The Weather Underground and the acclaimed 32 Sounds, said his original expectations for the project changed dramatically during production.
He explained that he initially imagined the film would feature colorful stories and life lessons from supercentenarians. Instead, he discovered a quieter reality.
According to Green, people who reach 117 years old are often living simple, peaceful lives focused on everyday routines rather than delivering profound reflections.

A Personal Story About Time

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Green said the project gradually evolved into something much broader than a documentary about exceptional longevity.
He became interested in exploring time itself through the experiences of people who had lived longer than anyone else. As filming continued, including moments with his young son, the documentary transformed into a more personal meditation on family, aging, and life's unpredictable path.
The production features cinematography by Yoni Brook, editing by Aaron Wickenden and Sam Green, and an original score composed by William Ryan Fritch and T. Griffin.

An Ongoing Documentary Project

The filmmakers plan to continue documenting the world's oldest living person for decades to come.
Rather than ending with a single feature, the creative team intends to revisit the subject every ten years, creating an evolving documentary series that grows alongside history and each new record holder.